Anybody else heard all the rumors flying around? Either trade would be interesting from a fantasy perspective, but I'm not sure either one will happen (although a deal involving Strickland would seem to make more sense).

Anyway, if Strickland goes, Herges starts looking pretty good in Montreal. If Yan is shipped to NY, it's much less certain who would inherit the less-than-plentiful supply of saves in TB.

Perhaps the most important question is whether all this talk indicates a lack of confidence in Benitez, as some seem to think. So far, I'm not buying this...

There is no question in New York as to who the Mets closer is, at least according to good ol' boy Peter Gammons, and that's Benitez. The real question the Mets have is their middle relief. So really, any kind of trade revolving the Mets and relievers should be looked at in that light. I do agree that a trade involving Strickland would make more sense, altough not really from the Expos point of view. Strickland is a 25 year-old prospect, so what sense would it make to trade him unless they were dumpnig his salary? I don't know what his salary is but I doubt he makes all that much. However, we must consider the Bud Selig factor. The world is slowly discovering what I've known all along, that Bud Selig is about as seedy a guy as they come, and I wouldn't put it past him stocking big markets teams to increase revenues. Oh yes, he is an evil puppet master, that one. Lying to congress like that...for shame Bud, for shame.

As to who would be the Devil Rays or Expos relievers if either should leave, I don't know.

You were right on with this one. The Montreal Expos website said Herges was stepping into the closer role for the Expos. I imagine Strickland becomes somewhat worthless now unless your league counts holds, or Benitez goes down.